Page 1 of 2 [ 23 posts ]  Go to page 1, 2  Next

Miranda
Raven
Raven

User avatar

Joined: 14 May 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 123
Location: United States

16 May 2007, 12:41 pm

I know AS isn't curable, but are there any types of therapy or medication that treat it partially?

I've been seeing a therapist for a year and haven't made much progress, but I was wondering if a specialist in treating AS would help.

And while I'm sort of opposed to meds, I do take an antidepressant because it doesn't have any real side effects that bother me. It made me feel better when I was depressed for no reason, but I still get depressed over not having friends or relationships. What can I do about this?

Which types of therapy are the best? I know saying this won't make me highly thought of around here, but I'd like to feel as normal as possible.



Sopho
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 3 Apr 2007
Gender: Female
Posts: 10,859

16 May 2007, 12:43 pm

What exactly is it you want them for? I take meds for anxiety and go to counselling for help with social things.



Miranda
Raven
Raven

User avatar

Joined: 14 May 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 123
Location: United States

16 May 2007, 12:53 pm

It's not that I want better social skills, but I want to be able to enjoy social interactions more and learn to feel more at ease with other people. I tried looking up group therapy, but I live in a s**thole town where there is no such thing. I even tried to start a depression group, but it was cancelled due to lack of interest.

I'd also like to feel less depressed over not having friends. It would help to learn where I could find people like me to hang out with. I honestly don't know where to start.

And I'd like to be able to learn how to have conversations. I feel like I don't have any anxiety over talking to strangers, but I just don't know how to do it or what to talk about.



OMGpenguin
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

User avatar

Joined: 18 Feb 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 172

16 May 2007, 12:54 pm

People with AS often take medication for the comorbidities like depression and anxiety, so there are some options to treat some of the symptoms. However, there is no cure for AS, so therapy also plays its part in "training" someone to be able to appear and function "normal(ly)."

Me? Tried the school's counseling center to no avail, and I self medicate. Is that the best way? Probably not.



poopylungstuffing
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 8 Mar 2007
Age: 49
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,714
Location: Snapdragon Ridge

16 May 2007, 12:59 pm

I am an ADDer with alot of AS symptoms....In the past I was put on a combination of ADDerallXR and a non-narcotic anti-anxiety med called Buspar :(
THat made my brain chemicals all wonky...amphetamines seemed like a good idea that the time, but they really are not.

Currently I take the following supplements:
Flax oil
l-theanine (recommended to me by an Aspie on another site..i really like it)
Rhodiloa rosea
l-tyrosine
and SAM-e...which also comes reccomended by an Aspie on another site.

I reccomend doing research on these supplements to see if they appeal to you.

I also take certain herbs....concentrated blue lotus tincture for anxiety...maca root to balance out my hormones...and other ones for depression

I also drink lots of green tea and yerba mate...

i might be overdoing it...but I have always been in a constant state of struggle with my head.



Michaelmas
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 207
Location: Kent, England

16 May 2007, 1:06 pm

I understand that CBT (Cognitive Behaviour Therapy) is the most popular psychological treatment currently available to ameliorate ("significantly reduce") mood disorders.

To quote Tony Attwood (The Complete Guide to Asperger's Syndrome) :-


in the affective education component of CBT the person learns about the advantages and disadvantages of emotions and the identification of the different levels of expression in words and actions, within the person him- or herself and others;

the cognitive restructuring component of CBT enables the person to correct the thinking that creates emotions such as anxiety and anger, or feelings of low self-esteem.


Michaelmas



DougOzzzz
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

User avatar

Joined: 28 Apr 2007
Gender: Male
Posts: 130
Location: Philadelphia, PA

16 May 2007, 1:09 pm

Some people here have had positive results treating depression and anxiety symptoms with medication. I have not had such success, despite being on pretty much every medication under the sun.

I have been seeing a therapist regularly for the past 4.5 years. While I haven't had any major breakthroughs and am no closer to "curing" AS than I was 5 years ago, I do find it helps me deal with life a little bit better.



Miranda
Raven
Raven

User avatar

Joined: 14 May 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 123
Location: United States

16 May 2007, 1:45 pm

So there's nothing I can really do about it?

A lot of people here view it as a positive thing, like it's a personality type rather than a disorder. I really don't care which it is, all I know is that it's caused me a lot of misery and I want to get rid of it as much as possible.

Are there any new treatments for it at all? I heard something about a procedure used to reduce levels of toxic metals in the body. Has anyone heard more about that?



poopylungstuffing
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 8 Mar 2007
Age: 49
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,714
Location: Snapdragon Ridge

16 May 2007, 3:31 pm

no..have not heard about that..but maybe activated charcoal might do the trick. it is goods at removing toxins.

All the stuff that I take, I take inorder to imporve my mental stamina..that is an area where I can tend to become very sluggish..I get tired very easily, because i am easily overwhealmed...um...
I will always be a "different sort of person



richardbenson
Xfractor Card #351
Xfractor Card #351

User avatar

Joined: 30 Oct 2006
Gender: Male
Posts: 13,553
Location: Leave only a footprint behind

16 May 2007, 3:34 pm

i use to go to a hippy counselour a few years ago that said i was an "indego" whatever that is, anyways i basically enjoyed the sessions and would have probably continued exept i didnt have the money then. they worked


_________________
Winds of clarity. a universal understanding come and go, I've seen though the Darkness to understand the bounty of Light


cecilfienkelstien
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 10 May 2006
Age: 41
Gender: Male
Posts: 25,348
Location: Ontario Canada

16 May 2007, 4:01 pm

I hear social skills classes are a great idea. In my city up here in Canada we don't have a class for adults, only children :roll: Like we adults don't neeed a little assistance. :? I want to start my own class, I've already started a support group, why not a social skills class :lol: I'm of coarse being sarcastic, I've just had one of thoughs days :x I just feel like if I want something done in this NT world I have to do it myself :x I because of the asperger's have a lot of trouble with organisation skills so these sorts of things can be so brutal! :lol:



poopylungstuffing
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 8 Mar 2007
Age: 49
Gender: Female
Posts: 6,714
Location: Snapdragon Ridge

16 May 2007, 4:08 pm

I am seriously concidering starting an Adult Aspie/ADD group at SHFL meeself..



Michaelmas
Sea Gull
Sea Gull

User avatar

Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Age: 66
Gender: Male
Posts: 207
Location: Kent, England

16 May 2007, 4:17 pm

sorry, I sounded like a very dry text-book.

CBT, a "talking therapy" will help, is all I meant to say.


Michaelmas



Miranda
Raven
Raven

User avatar

Joined: 14 May 2007
Age: 39
Gender: Female
Posts: 123
Location: United States

16 May 2007, 4:20 pm

richardbenson wrote:
i use to go to a hippy counselour a few years ago that said i was an "indego" whatever that is, anyways i basically enjoyed the sessions and would have probably continued exept i didnt have the money then. they worked


That's interesting. I was once called an "indigo child" by someone. I should look for a hippie group to hang out with. Maybe they would accept me.



Fraya
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 21 Aug 2006
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,337

16 May 2007, 5:10 pm

Miranda wrote:
That's interesting. I was once called an "indigo child" by someone. I should look for a hippie group to hang out with. Maybe they would accept me.


Probably would. I hear being quiet, calm and relaxed makes you considered to be valued and rare company in those circles.


_________________
One pill makes you larger
And one pill makes you small
And the ones that mother gives you
Don't do anything at all
-----------
"White Rabbit" - Jefferson Airplane


0_equals_true
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 5 Apr 2007
Age: 43
Gender: Male
Posts: 11,038
Location: London

16 May 2007, 5:33 pm

Miranda wrote:
I know AS isn't curable, but are there any types of therapy or medication that treat it partially?

I've been seeing a therapist for a year and haven't made much progress, but I was wondering if a specialist in treating AS would help.

And while I'm sort of opposed to meds, I do take an antidepressant because it doesn't have any real side effects that bother me. It made me feel better when I was depressed for no reason, but I still get depressed over not having friends or relationships. What can I do about this?

Which types of therapy are the best? I know saying this won't make me highly thought of around here, but I'd like to feel as normal as possible.

I think you need to route out what the specific problems you’re having first. Do you think you could have social anxiety?